Hynes adds toughness

Albany Academy senior shakes off hand injury, delivers clutch hits

James Alle, Times Union

By James Allen

Published 11:46 pm, Thursday, June 7, 2012

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes scores the third run of their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes scores the third run of...

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes dives for a grounder during their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes dives for a grounder...

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes throws to first after fielding a grounder, during their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes throws to first after...

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes drives in the first run of their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes drives in the first run of...

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes drives in the first run of their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy third baseman Tyler Hynes drives in the first run of...

Albany Academy shortstop Justin Brock celebrates after scoring the second run of their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy shortstop Justin Brock celebrates after scoring the...

Albany Academy shortstop Justin Brock throws to first to complete a double play during their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. Saranac's Tanner Rascoe, left, is forced at second. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy baseball players celebrate their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy baseball players celebrate their 11-0 win over...

Albany Academy's Ben Brown delivers a pitch to Saranac's Kasey Favreau during the Academy's 11-0 win in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy's Ben Brown delivers a pitch to Saranac's Kasey...

Albany Academy's Ben Brown delivers a pitch to Saranac's Kasey Favreau during the Academy's 11-0 win in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy's Ben Brown delivers a pitch to Saranac's Kasey...

Albany Academy's Ben Brown delivers a pitch during their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Albany Academy's Ben Brown delivers a pitch during their 11-0 win...

UPDATED CAPTION TO ADD JORDAN GILLESPIE -Albany Academy shortstop Justin Brock throws to first to complete a double play during their 11-0 win over Saranac in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. Saranac's Jordan Gillespie, left, is forced at second. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

UPDATED CAPTION TO ADD JORDAN GILLESPIE -Albany Academy shortstop...

Saranac centerfielder Tanner Rascoe, right, avoids a collision with Kyle Erickson, left, after making a catch during Albany Academy's 11-0 win in the Class B regional final at Bleecker Stadium on Wednesday June 6, 2012 in Albany, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

On Wednesday, Hynes had a new message for Rider: he was ready to hit. "This is his idea," Rider said. "I thought he was done."

"Sitting out one game was tough enough," Hynes said. "We started playing on nice fields, with great atmospheres, and I didn't want to be sitting on the bench."

Hynes came through in a big way at the plate Wednesday, driving in the game's first run against Saranac to start a four-run first and then delivering a two-run double in the second in what turned out to be an 11-0 regional title victory.

Up next for Albany Academy (17-5) is a state semifinal showdown Saturday against Section I champion Briarcliff (22-4), a school located in Westchester County, at Conlon Field in Binghamton. Game time is 10 a.m.

Toughness has never been an issue for Hynes. During the winter, the senior displayed his grit at right wing during a stellar hockey season for the Cadets in the New England Prep League. He has committed to play at Division I Union College in 2013-14, but will first compete for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League for the 2012-2013 season.

"I've seen him carry a whole hockey team on his shoulders. He is almost doing the same thing now," said Rider, who was the long-time coach of the hockey program now led by Eric Cavosie.

In addition to superlative defense at third and catching, Hynes is second on the team in batting (.448 average) and tops the Cadets with 21 RBIs.

Making a run to the state Final Four in baseball means a lot to Hynes and his senior teammates.

"My baseball career is over Saturday. It is nice to be able to have a going-out party, if you will, at the state championships. It's pretty sweet," Hynes said.

Although his teammates are devoid of Final Four experience, Hynes is not. As a sophomore in 2010, Hynes was a starter at Guilderland when the Dutchmen made a run to the state Class AA final.

"He knows what it is like. His presence on the field calms everyone else down," Rider said. "There is just something about him that the kids gravitate to. When he is there, everyone else feels more confident."